Getting Back to the Boat!

Does he look happy or what!
Even on the hard, life is good on the boat.

It has been almost a year since we last sailed Trillium. She is sitting on the hard (land) in Herrington Harbor North, MD. We last saw her in October when we were there for the Annapolis Sailboat Show. I love the boat show! There are so many things to see. And we see so many of our sailor friends. Last fall our big purchase was a canvas cover to protect the deck while Trillium sat on the hard for the year.

Trillium wearing her winter coat! Look at that sky. UGH!

The first year we spent all of our time climbing on and off boats because we were shopping for one. The next few years we didn't even bother to go on board any since we were shopping for equipment. Now we are not really shopping - just adding those few things that we have finally decided would be helpful or add to our safety as we sail around the world. You know what they say about boats: just a hole in the water into which you throw money! I love this one: BOAT means Break Out Another Thousand! That is a sad truth!

If you are a boater, you simply must go to Annapolis for the October boat shows. There is a week for sail and a week for power boats so you can focus on boats and equipment that fits your boating needs. Here are the details for this year's show:

Annapolis Sailboat Show

The Sailboat Show features new racing and cruising sailboats from leading U.S. and foreign builders as well as the nation's largest multi hull display. Check it out at: http://www.usboat.com/

• Dates: October 10 - 14, 2013.
• Location: Annapolis City Dock and Harbor, Annapolis, MD.  

Annapolis Powerboat Show

The Powerboat Show includes a fleet of boats ranging from luxurious motor yachts and performance boats to offshore fishing machines, family cruisers, center consoles, and inflatables.

• Dates: October 3 - 6, 2013
• Location: Annapolis City Dock and Harbor, Annapolis, MD.

We will be there for the sail boat show so let us know if you are going.

I love the HR china, but it takes up too much room in the
galley so I will leave it behind while we do the WARC.

For now we are doing inventory of spare parts, lining up professionals to check the systems and rigging, adding passive power sources, etc. I will be planning the storage for the huge amount of provisioning I will be doing in the fall. This will require rethinking how and where I store things. Space is very limited and I can't just add on a room! Some things like the china are coming off the boat to make more room. I think I can easily live without china for a couple of years! (Yes, we do have the Galley Ware plates and bowls that don't slide so we will be able to eat!)
 

 

We Are On The Count Down Now!

How could I not visit places like this! (St. Barth)

The dream is coming to a reality faster than ever now! In less than six months we sail away! We are on the count down and what we have yet to do is becoming overwhelming!

I finished my last International Leadership session with my favorite group last week. And then I told them I was officially retired. Yes, I used the "R" word that I had been dreading! A few months ago I wasn't ready to say the word out loud. What happened?

Dreaming of the cruising life - but not yet retired!
Soon though!

Everyone says that you will know when the time is right. The time was very right! I am more excited about learning about all the places we will visit than designing another training program. I started my business 23 years ago. At the time, I wasn't even sure it would be viable. I was amazed when I made the five year mark - and again at the 10 year mark! The next 13 years flew by as I was busy doing what I love to do: share what I have learned and watch others grow with it. It has been very rewarding to work with the most interesting and enthusiastic business leaders! And the added benefit is that I learned and grew right along with them.

Now what!? The house is on the market, a lot of stuff has been given away and I am clearing out office files, shelves of resource materials and training programs. Even though it is hard to let all of my work creations go, I know I do not intend to use them again. It is time!

She is teaching Grand D to use an iPad!

Not everyone is excited about our upcoming adventure. Our six year old granddaughter asked: "Grammy, why does Grand D have to take you on his dream trip?" It is hard for her to comprehend that I want to go. She thinks I should be here for her birthday! I guess it is a matter of priorities- and right now our priority is to have a great adventure before time runs out!

As I have always told my training classes: life is full of choices; make some! And we have! So we will be missing her birthday! We will all have to use Skype and our iPads to stay in touch! And when she learns to swim, she can come sail with us.